Future Models - Mercedes-Benz 2008 A-class

Boost for A-class

Coming and going: Stop/start technology improves fuel consumption.

• What is green?

Mechanical changes highlight mildly facelifted baby Benz

1 April 2008

By TERRY MARTIN

MERCEDES-BENZ has taken the covers off a facelifted version of its A-class ahead of its world debut at this week’s Leipzig motor show and an Australian debut in September.

As with the revised B-class unveiled last month, significant mechanical details overshadow the subtle exterior changes, such as the adoption of stop/start technology on a number of model variants, including the A170 sold in Australia and a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel.

Stopping the engine at idle and automatically restarting at take-off, the technology is claimed to reduce fuel consumption by about 6.5 per cent. On the “BlueEfficiency” A160 CDI, it can return a claimed 4.5L/100km.

Automatic parking, crash-responsive emergency lighting and flashing brake lights (activated under emergency braking situations) have also been developed for the A-class.

The compact car picks up revised front and rear lamps, a redesigned front bumper (with larger air intake), reworked grille, different wheel designs and larger exterior mirrors.

Cabins include new fabrics, upgraded stereos and a small dose of extra practicality via a larger storage area and an improved cupholder in the centre console.

A spokesperson told GoAuto this week that Australian specifications for the updated A-class were still to be finalised, but cautioned that the introduction of stop/start and/or turbo-diesel power for the model was “not a strong probability”.